He felt the cold deck under his fingers. He opened his eyes. He was still in the Nova's engine room. The yellow mist had dissipated. He saw Villanowski standing over him. The chief's homely features were cold.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
Gavin pulled himself together with an effort and scrambled to his feet.
"Curious," he admitted frankly. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Nadia sit up, holding her temples.
Villanowski's eyes narrowed. "What did you see?"
"Nothing," Gavin said in a disappointed voice. He could feel the perspiration break through his pores. Villanowski was no fool. "The mist caught us at the foot of the ladder." He paused. "Next time we go into the little death, I'd like to be in the control room with you."
"You saw the control room?"
"Oh, the door was open." Gavin summoned all his histrionic ability to sound convincing. "I saw you and started in. Then—then I fainted, I guess."
Indecision was reflected on Villanowski's face. Finally he growled, "Get out, the pair of you. Don't come down here again except on your watch."